TRENTON, January 20, 2011 – Promoting Governor Christie’s commitment to make New Jersey a more attractive place to do business, Commissioner Harold J. Wirths today announced the award of $3.4 million for the third round of training grants issued through the Department of Labor and Workforce Development’s Customized Training and Workplace Literacy Basic Skills Training grants programs.

"This latest round of $3.4 million in competitively awarded grants help spur employer investments in worker training and directly assist New Jersey businesses to focus on becoming more globally competitive and profitable in these challenging economic times,” said Wirths. “Customized training grants help increase the skill level of New Jersey’s workforce and help businesses retain jobs, increase productivity, and can lead businesses to hire additional workers.”

Customized training grants, which employers match with their own resources, assist participating businesses to raise the productivity and skills of their workers and increase the ability of the businesses to compete in the global economy. In this third round, 79 grants were awarded to businesses, and to consortia of multiple employers to provide training to more than 8,600 employees.

Businesses across the state have been able to tap into these grants. Through the first three rounds of grants in Fiscal Year 2011, the Christie Administration has awarded 220 grants totaling $10.3 million to train 28,700 workers. Additionally, employers expect that this investment in training will assist them to expand their workforces by as many as 3,500 new workers. The more than 430 businesses receiving these grants will invest almost $14.7 million of their own resources to match the State’s investment.

“One of the top priorities of Governor Christie and Lt. Governor Guadagno is to strengthen New Jersey’s economic foundation,” said Wirths. “Small to mid-size businesses are the ones that will create jobs and drive our continued economic recovery. These also are the employers we are focused on assisting with these grants.”

Seventy-five percent of the grants in the third round were awarded to small and medium size businesses and about 40 percent of the grants will assist companies in the manufacturing sector.

These grants will fund training in direct worker skills that employers identify as essential for their businesses to become more productive, competitive, and successful for the future. The department will award additional competitive grant funding in the coming months.

Customized training grants are matching grants awarded through the Department of Labor and Workforce Development and funded through the Workforce Development Partnership Program.

Individual businesses or a business consortium led by educational institutions, non-profit organizations, trade associations, and labor unions are eligible to apply for grants on an on-going basis. The Department of Labor and Workforce Development will match interested applicants with a Business Representative who will provide assistance throughout the application process.

Archway Program, a provider of comprehensive educational services, located in Waterford Township, Camden County, was awarded a $20,800 Customized Training grant. Archway will use the grant and invest an additional $25,032 in company funds to train 81 employees in Business Communications; Business Services Marketing; General Selling Skills Operations; PC Skills, and Teacher-Education. Archway intends to hire 10 new employees.

AlmatekIndustries Inc., a manufacturing company located in Hackettstown, Warren County, was awarded a $49,400 Customized Training grant to train its employees in Lean Manufacturing; PC Skills; Industrial Equipment Maintenance; Operations Management; and Manufacturing/Materials Resource skills. Almatek will invest an additional $53,230 in company resources towards the training.

Pacor Inc., an industrial manufacturer of insulation products, was awarded $22,000 to provide employees with ISO training. The company, located in Cinnaminson, Burlington County, will provide an additional $30,160 in funds for training.

Middle Atlantic Products, Inc., located in Fairfield Boro, Essex County, manufactures support and protection products. The company will use the $73,600 Customized Training grant to provide 137 employees with specialized training in Instrument Calibration; Machine Technology; Lean Manufacturing; Team Leadership; Team Building; Team Effectiveness; and Industrial Manufacturing. Middle Atlantic will invest $74,238 in company resources in the training and to expand their workforce.

East Coast Warehouse and Distribution was awarded a $46,400 Customized Training grant. East Coast, located in Elizabeth, Union County, provides logistics services. The company will use the grant and an additional $47,359 in company funds to train employees in PC Skills; Customer Service Skills; Leadership for Results; Office Supervision and Management; Team Building; Business Administration; Logistics; and Business Communications.

North American Parts Distributors located in Ramsey Boro, Bergen County, was awarded a $35,000 Customized Training grant to provide Lean Manufacturing; Logistics; Six Sigma; Team Effectiveness; and PC Skills training to their employees. North American Parts,a wholesale parts distributor, will contribute $35,089 to the training.

Universal Supply Co., LLC, located in Hammonton, Atlantic County, was awarded a $49,600 Customized Training grant to train employees in Customer Service Skills; Leadership for Results; and Business Communications. The company will contribute $49,600 to the training effort and skill enhancement of their employees.

The New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development is an equal employment opportunity employer and provides equal opportunity programs.
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